With 'Hey' photographer Ilja Keizer pays tribute to women and captured 43 well-known Dutch women, such as presenter Geraldine Kemper, writer Marieke Lucas Rijneveld and actress Nora El Koussour, in black and white.
He chose his models because they inspire him. Powerful women who dare to be vulnerable at the same time. Women with a passion and a certain 'authenticity'. In most cases, Ilja didn’t know the women before he photographed them. The portraits are result of what preceded them. They talked, laughed, drank coffee and wandered through the various rooms of his studio. His direct questions led to surprising conversations, with the occasional emotion and annoyance. During all this Ilja observed and studied his models, looking for what someone is willing to show of herself.
Ilja knows how to portray his models out of curiosity and fascination, which makes his photos raw, disarming and strong.
